DESCRIPTION
The EdgeTech Topside Processor with its DISCOVER
software serves as the control and data acquisition sub-system
for display, storage and printing of sonar data from EdgeTech’s
family of Sub-Bottom Profilers and Side Scan Sonars.
There are two hardware platforms. 
One
is a 19” rack mountable “standard” version that can also be placed
on a tabletop. The other is a “P” portable version that can withstand
the harsh environment of operating outside of a protected area.
In the ‘standard” version, all the power supplies, acquisition support hardware, and DISCOVER acquisition software all reside in a 19" rack mounted Windows© based PC system. Towfish connections, and auxiliary inputs are all made to the back panel of this common processor.
In the portable configuration,
the towfish specific power supply, interface, and acquisition
hardware are mounted in a portable rugged suitcase style housing.
The firmware inside the unit provides a TCP/IP based Ethernet
connection to a notebook display/recording computer which runs
the DISCOVER
acquisition software. The operator has the option of mounting
the notebook computer on the faceplate inside the portable enclosure
or operating it remotely over an Ethernet cable or wireless connection.
The sonar data from the towfish are displayed
on a high-resolution color monitor(s) and stored on a high capacity
hard drive. A DVD-R/W permits archiving the data to CD or DVD.
Provision is made for interfacing to an RS-232 NMEA compatible GPS system or output from a Hydrographic Survey Navigation System.
